Colo's most dangerous slide path?

[TeleHoar]

So what run has the dubious distinction of killing the most people in avy slides, in or out of bounds?

I would assume it to be in Colorado, But I could be wrong.

Seven sisters?
Peak 7 tragedy?


Just curious

[FrankZappa]

I'd bet that one over by Highlands. Forget what it's called.

[Rontele]

I'd bet that one over by Highlands. Forget what it's called.

Five fingers? K Chutes?

[summit]

In Colorado?

Inbounds? I think A-Basin's Palivachini's various paths has the most casualties, although I'm sure CB and AH are right up there

Out of bounds? Probably some road/town crossing path.. there was one in Twin Lakes that killed 7, caught 9, and burried 11 cars and 6 buildings... although St Mary's Glacier has injured/killed a surprising number...

In the US?
Rainier has a path that has killed over 11 people... but there is a path that path in WA that killed 96 people in that train disaster in 1910.

In the World? There are have been megadisasters in the Russia/Nepal/Pakistan that wiped out entire towns killing hundreds!

[Rontele]

A couple of those slide paths that cross 550 in the San Juans are nasty.

[smitchell333]

Dont know, but a few of the repeat offenders for fatalities that I remember:

- The Professor

- Highlands Bowl

- Red Mountain pass has a bunch that all together have, I believe, killed multiple snowplow drivers.

[pechelman]

this topic really asks where do people most frequently travel that puts them in danger of a slide path.

so isnt really this thread is asking where the most stupid people live, build roads, and travel.

If parts of the south actually had real mountains, id say the most dangerous slide path would be there.

[Ermine]

... but there is a path that path in WA that killed 96 people in that train disaster in 1910.

Might be the worst in N. America? More to check would be Rogers Pass and miners in and around Telluride (Tomboy Mine). What about during the Gold Rush in AK and the Yukon?

[summit]

The Professor

uh... tons of people get caught there but I am not aware of a high number of casualties

[summit]

Might be the worst in N. America? More to check would be Rogers Pass and miners in and around Telluride (Tomboy Mine). What about during the Gold Rush in AK and the Yukon?

I hadn't considered AK or BC/AB/YT because I don't know much about their avalanche histories. Perhaps one of our Canaggots will pipe up...

[Ermine]

The one I was thinking about was Chilkoot Pass (~60+?):

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/gold/avalanche.htm

But still not up to the train one. OP was probably interested in the most dangerous slope since we've been sliding down them (for fun)? That is a good question...CAIC does alot of stats, might be a good question for "The Beacon"?

[pechelman]

what makes something dangerous?

is it fatalities or repeate incidents?

is flying in a plane considered dangerous?
sure when it crashes most everyone dies.

Although that more people die from something stupid like sticking forks into toasters, than there are from slides, but which is dangerous? More dangerous?

sorry for getting all uber-nerd on this, but imo the slide path isnt the thing thats "dangerous".

[smitchell333]

^^^^Pech - you're captain semantics arent you?

uh... tons of people get caught there but I am not aware of a high number of casualties

RE: the Professor, maybe you're right. In fact after thinking more the Beavers are the more likely frequent offender as I know several have been killed there.

[cj001f]

^^^^Pech - you're captain semantics arent you?

Well, those are kind of relevant if you are looking for somethign other than trivia

The 96 fatality Wellington Rail avalanche
http://www.historylink.org/essays/ou...m?file_id=5127

Recent western world history, the Galtur avalanche in 1999
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galt%C3%BCr_Avalanche

[pechelman]

^^^^Pech - you're captain semantics arent you?

just sayin'

You can go out there on LOW day, get yourself caught in a slide, and die.

You can go out on a HIGH day, and have a safe fun time.

I just dont like blindly labeling things as "safe" or "dangerous".

In any avalanche, there are more factors that go into it than just the terrain, and I think we can all agree on that...and the only reason Im really being anal about this.
edit: not to say i thought that someone was saying otherwise. This fact just wasnt made obvious. Now it has, so I shall shut-it.

[summit]

So what run has the dubious distinction of killing the most people in avy slides, in or out of bounds?

This was the question posed and the one I tried to answer.

[pechelman]

you know
ive got this horrible problem with not reading threads

i should really try that sometime

[FrankZappa]

This was the question posed and the one I tried to answer.

and the title of the thread... at first I fugured it limits it to CO, doesn't it? But then Thoar says:

I would assume it to be in Colorado, But I could be wrong.

soo.....

As for CO, I'm stickin with my previous thought - and I believe it's called Highlands bowl - thanks smitch

[Hacksaw]

I've been on 3 body recoveries (one actually died after being taken off life support) on the east face of Russell Peak on Berthoud Pass. And I have been to two body recoveries at The Beaver chutes west of A-Basin.

Tom your thoughts about Highlands bowl are close. Three ski patrollers died on March 31, 1984 in a post control release avalanche. The Patrollers where: Chris Kessler, Craig Soddy and Tom Snyder..

There where highway workers going to the rescue of another victim on Colorado State highway/road 361 on Feb. 14th, 1958. They where: Danny Jerrell, Mike Muransky and Walt Smith.

I would have to spend a lot more time doing research on what would be considered the most deadly avalanche slope/path in the state. What I do know off the top of my heaad is that Pitkin, Clear Creek and Summit counties are the counties with the most avalanche fatalities in the moderen age (e.g., since 1950).

Halsted

[covert]

i believe the steep gullies next to a basin and the south face of quandary are neck and neck with regard to most avy fatalities in colorado.

[Avmapper]

The publication "Historic Avalanches n ther Northern Front Range and the Central and Northern Mountains of Colorado" is good History of the Avalanches round the State. It wasd published by the forest Service in 1999. You might be able to get a copy from the FS Rocky Mn Research Station in Ft Collins. There are reports of 13 killed at once at Woodstock between Pitkin and the Alpine tunnel and 10 killed at once at Silverplume (took out 5 houses)and the Homestake Mine at Tennesse Pass.These big hits are almost all during the mining era. Hacksaw and Dale probably has the best list of recent fatalities. So he may be able to figure which singe path kills the most knuckle heads skiing or boarding.

[3DB]

Haven't there been multiple casualties in the Cristo Couloir on Quandary? That spot seems ripe for an accident every few years or so....

[Kski]

The CAIC's website has some pretty good historical accident info... and a fancy new map on the homepage!!

[olderthanyou]

Haven't there been multiple casualties in the Cristo Couloir on Quandary? That spot seems ripe for an accident every few years or so....

Nope, only single fatalities on the south side of Quandry. Seems like folks without safety equipment chance it and lose.
See link:
www.avalanche.state.co.us/Accidents/Colorado

[Obi-Jong Kenobi]

any slide path can be dangerous. best to stay out of them.